The Forgotten Kingdom of Tonitrua (Discontinued)

The Automaton

"Mornin'." Hugo yawned, slouching against the doorway to his kitchen. He'd been woken by a loud crash and come to investigate, only to find Varian rummaging through cupboards and drawers.
"Good morning." Varian responded, distractedly.
"Can I...help you with something?" The blonde asked, pushing off of the doorframe and approaching a large bag on the table. It was filled with essentials, like non-perishables.
"I'm packing."
"Packing?"
"Well, if we're headed across the seven kingdoms to Tonitrua, we've gotta be prepared for anything."
"So...in order to combat any unfortunate circumstance...you're packing half my house?" Hugo raised a brow and Varian scoffed.
"Don't be dramatic." He smiled, and patted Hugo's chest as he walked past him to the bedroom.
The blonde spun around and watched as Varian pulled open the drawer beside his bed.
"Woah, woah, woah!" Hugo ran over and slammed the drawer shut, blocking Varian from it.
The shorter boy raised a brow and grinned, "Got something to hide?"
"From you? Of course not." Hugo laughed.
"So why did you stop me?"
The blonde moved forwards, leaning close to Varian, "How would you like it if I went rifling through your personal effects?"
The dark-haired boy blushed and chuckled lightly, "Touché." He smiled, "Speaking of, I'd better head home and start packing my own things."
"There's no hurry, right?"
"A part of my mother's spirit is attached to me." Varian reminded him.
"Ok- if that's true, she hasn't bothered t'let you know before now and it's been two years."
"Maybe she couldn't...What if she's stuck? She can't move on like this and I need to help her."
"We will help her." Hugo placed his hands on Varian's shoulders and the boy nodded.
"Sorry...you're right. I haven't even spoken to Rapunzel about taking some time off work yet."
"Like she'll say no." Hugo chuckled.
"She might...I'll go see her now. Will you be ok looking after the library alone for a few hours?" Varian grabbed his bag from the floor by the bed.
"Does hydrogen have an atomic mass of 1.00784?" Hugo grinned and Varian couldn't help but smile in return.
"I love you." He said, planting a kiss on the taller boy's cheek.
"I know."
Varian nudged him.
"Ow..." He laughed, "I love you too. You know I do."

Once Varian had left to seek an audience with the Queen, Hugo returned to the drawer by his bed and pulled it open. Olivia appeared on his shoulder and squeaked in his ear.
"Tell me about it." Hugo responded, pulling out a small box, "Maybe it's safer to keep it on me, just in case."
The mouse nodded and the boy tucked the box away in his pocket before leaving for the Demanitus Chamber.
Upon arriving, he was greeted by Lance and the King. Lance ran to the boy as he made his way to the entrance.
"Finally!" The man exclaimed, "You know I've been waiting here for an hour?"
"Oh great. Lance and Eugene. Joy." Hugo rolled his eyes and moved past them to unlock the entrance to the chamber. As soon as he did, Lance ran in before he could.
"He's a little distressed because he found a grey hair in his beard this morning." Eugene explained as he and Hugo entered the lab.
"Right." Hugo responded and walked to a rack on the wall by the bottom of the stairs. He pulled on a dark green waistcoat emblazoned with a sun emblem then watched Lance run into the gateway to the library.
"Oh, and before I forget; I found my guards vest in a horse feeder." The king crossed his arms and Hugo tried his hardest to conceal a grin.
"Oh, really?" He asked, innocently.
"I know it was you!" Eugene furrowed his brows, "May I remind you, I have the power to suspend you from your royal duties."
Hugo sniggered, "Uh huh." He had already made his way over to his desk and was now piling sheets of research neatly to one side, "You're gonna suspend me."
"I could." Eugene replied, defensively.
"Would that go down well with our gracious Queen?"
"I don't know why she gives you the time of day."
"I guess I'm that charming. Like a younger, more attractive and talented version of you." Hugo joked and Eugene mocked him behind his back.
"You wish, Hot Shot." Eugene rolled his eyes, "I'll be in the library."
"Sounds good- maybe you'll get lost in there and I won't have t'see you anymore." Hugo smirked.
Eugene narrowed his eyes before leaving to join Lance in the library.